Alyssa Hendricksen has a lot to learn about self-promotion. Everyone knows the goal scorers get the headlines in soccer while the defenders get a pat on the back from the coach.
That matters little to the Steinert High junior.
“I’ve been a center back my whole life,” Hendricksen proudly states. “Honestly, I never cared about scoring. I just love getting the tackles and defending that goal.”
It is a position she plays quite well, which is a key reason why the Spartans were undefeated through their first eight games while allowing just three goals and posting five shutouts.
Hendricksen anchors a fairly young back line that also includes junior Brenna Riddell, sophomore Nadia Gray and senior Aleesia Amato in front of senior goalie Jillian Jones, all returning starters.
“I feel really strong with them, they are amazing back there,” Hendricksen said. “I wouldn’t be the player I am without them. I’ve been playing with them since last year. We’re really strong together. We’re working together very well, we’re talking to each other, covering for each other.”
But the leader of the pack is easy to distinguish.
“Alyssa controls it back there, there’s no doubt,” coach Mike “Stinger” Hastings said. “She’s the first one to mark the best player on the other team. She kind of wants that. She wants to have that ‘Hey bring it,” attitude. She doesn’t shy away from anything.”
In fact, Hendricksen tries to get others to shy away.
“Alyssa’s probably one of the most fierce competitors I’ve ever coached since taking over the girls program,” Hastings said. “She has that tenacity at practice, in a game. She never turns it off. She demands so much of herself and those around her that she makes us better every day just by stepping on the field.”
It wasn’t an acquired taste, either. She was born with it.
Hendricksen began playing soccer at age three when sister Lindsey — five years her senior — got her started in the sport. It didn’t take much prodding.
“My whole life I just wanted to play soccer,” Alyssa said. “I’m always going for the ball, I always want to make opportunities happen for my teammates. I’m so excited when I’m out there, I love the sport so much.”
Her career began in the Hamilton Recreation League. From there she went to the Hamilton Wildcats; PSA and is currently on FC Copa. Her freshman year at Steinert was a Covid-shortened season in which she learned how to adjust to varsity ball.
“It was a little transition, it was scary playing with older girls,” Hendricksen said. “Luckily I had amazing teammates who were able to take me under their wing and show me what to do. Making varsity was an amazing accomplishment for me. I loved it.”
And Hastings loved her style, the moment he saw it.
“Oh yeah, she could tackle,” he said. “She reminded me a lot of (former Spartan great) Arianna Durling, where any time she’s going in one-v-one she ends up with the ball. It’s kind of amazing that some players have that knack, and she has that.”
Last year, Alyssa started every game at center-back. In assessing what makes a strong defender, Hendricksen feels it is a variety of things; both mental and physical.
“It’s talking to a teammate,” she said. “It’s having confidence when stepping into a tackle, that’s extremely important. You can’t go half in. You have to know what you’re going to do and do it.”
Not surprisingly, when there is a goal-scoring threat in the opposing uniform, Alssya draws the assignment.
“I live for that,” she said. “I love going on that strongest player. That’s how you get better and become the strongest player you can be.”
And while her defensive positioning and decision making are impressive, it is Hendricksen’s non-stop motor that truly defines her. Hastings invoked the names of some of Steinert’s greatest – and hard-nosed – defenders on boys teams of yesteryear, such as G.A. Reid and Sean Gardiner, in describing his center back.
“You have people like that, you’re not gonna give up a lot of goals, you’re gonna win a lot of games,” Hastings said. “Alyssa never has that down time. Even in practice she’s always on. That’s why she’s so good.”
Junior Alyssa Hendricksen is a key player on the back line for Steinert soccer. (Photo by Rich Fisher.),
